For most people, learning a new language is not something you could do in a month or a year. However, even if you don’t have the ‘language gene’, there to ensure that you are mastering a language as quickly and effectively as possible.

A little goes a long way

The most important thing about learning a language is continuous practice. It doesn’t always have to be two hours every time, as much as 20 min per day can really help to improve your skills over time. There are different ways of approaching this and different media platforms you can use. Apps for language learners, for instance, are helpful when it comes to daily repetitions and you can adjust the amount of time per day you want to spend on it.  When you start learning a new language, focus on the basics first, topics of conversation that could be useful for everyday use. Knowing how to give directions or order in a restaurant are more important skills than knowing how to describe a cartoon (which seems to be a popular option in school).

Speed up the learning process

Some of the best methods may require some effort, but you will be surprised about the results. When you are determined to learn the language, there is nothing more effective. When learning a language, it is crucial to set yourself clear goals depending on what you want to achieve in a foreign language. For instance, there is a big difference between the ability to converse lightly and make small talk, or being capable to conduct a business meeting. When setting goals, it is also important to see things realistically. If you are overestimating yourself or the amount of time you will be able to put into it, you will most likely not achieve your previously set objectives.
When it comes to the actual learning, focus on areas that you struggle with most first and design learning activities. Developing your own ways of learning will be much more effective than studying with a textbook, although you can and should use them to study your basics.

For the different areas of learning a language, there are various exercises. Listening for instance, is a skill that a lot of language learners struggle with, it is best practiced by listening to podcasts of native speakers. Or even better, by talking to them if possible! To improve reading skills, it is important to choose your reading material based on your level of proficiency. A suitable book or article should be written so that you know and understand about 90% of the words. Meaning, unless you have a high level of proficiency, don’t read the classics. They are often packed with words and phrases used beyond everyday speaking and won’t serve you well if your goal is to speak the language.
When it comes to writing, practice makes perfect. It doesn’t necessarily have to be essays, you could instead write short stories or simply keep a diary in your target language!
To improve your overall expression, make flashcards to practise. You can also note down every word or phrase you wanted to use but couldn’t remember and later on add it to your flashcard collection. By doing this, you will constantly broaden your vocabulary.

Aiming for fluency

As a language learner, your first focus should be to start using the language, being able to have conversations, give directions, and order in a restaurant.  However, for a full command of your target language, you have to familiarise yourself with grammatical and sentence structures. Understanding how a language works and how it is built is the key to mastering it – after some time your head will be able to automatically adapt this and phrasing sentences will come naturally to you. Nevertheless, remember you are not embarrassing yourself in case you’re making mistakes. It is perfectly normal to be making them, so don’t be self-conscious but embrace and learn from them. After all, it is pretty impressive you’re making the effort of learning a new language!

Language also shapes the way we think. Watch a Ted Talk to see how.